Pressure responsive valve



Feb. I?, H948. Q C. S LE QLAlR 2,435,147

PRESSURE RESPONSIVE VALVE original Filed sept. so,k 1942 pressure pump in order Patented Feb. 17, 1918l .I utu'mpv 2,436,141 l raassnna RESPONSIVE vaLva Camille Clare Sprankllng Le Clair, Acton,

London, England original application september 30,- 1942, serai No. 460 May 1, August 23,

miamiv August zz. 1941 i 4 claims. (ci. 137-153) This invention relates generally to means for preventing the aeration of liquid in liquid circulating systems, and, in particular, to a novel valve for use in such systems. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 460,320, filed September 30, 1942, now Patent No. 2,374,822, granted May 1, 1945, for an invention entitled Means for preventing the aeration of liquid in liquid circulating systems.

On aircraft and other engines, the oil is frequently withdrawn from the engine sump byv a scavenge pump which forces the oil into an oil tank from which it is supplied tothe engine by a pressure pump. The scavenge pump usually has a capacity which is greater than that of the to ensure that the quantity of oil in the sump does not become excessive. Consequently, a mixture of oil and air enters the scavenge pump and is delivered-by the pressure pump to the engine. This is particularly disadvantageous in the case of an aircraft engine, because air entrained in the lubricating oil of an aircraft engine causes various dimculties particularly when the aircraft is flying at high altitudes.

An important object of the invention of my said copending application is to prevent the flow of air to the scavenge pump used in oil circulating systems of aircraft and, to this end, in a liquid circulating system comprising a liquid con--y tainer and a pumpfor withdrawing liquid from the container, means are provided for preventing aeration of the liquid circulated by said pump. which comprises a level detecting means, a liquid supply source, means for controlling the flow of liquid from the said source to the pump such that when the said level detecting means indicates a low level in the container, the flow from the said source is permitted and when the said level detecting means indicates a high level in the container the flow from said source is restricted or stopped, and means for restricting the ow of liquid from the container to the pump when the pump is receiving liquid from the said source, the arrangement being such that the liquid in the container is always maintained at such a level therein that the pump cannot withdraw air therefrom. As described in the said specilication, the said level detecting means takes the form of means for withdrawing air from the container when the liquid therein falls below a predetermined level, the flow of liquid to the pump from the container then being restricted and the pump receiving liquid from the aforesaid liquid supply source, the said means also withdrawing ,320, now Patent No. 2,374,822, dated 1945. Divided and this application 1944, Serial No.

550,772. In Great liquid from the container when the liquid in the latter rises above the said level and the pressure of the liquid thus withdrawn acting to operate a control device in order to cut oif the flow of liquid from the said liquid supply source to the pump, which latter then withdraws liquid from the container, the arrangement being such that the pump is at all times prevented from withdrawing air from the container.

One object of the present inventionis to provide in a liquid circulating system which includes the combinationlof a liquid container, a source of liquid, a pump adapted to withdraw liquid from said container and deliver it to the said source and means for preventing aeration of the liquid circulated from said container to said source, a control valve comprising a cylinder having a pressure end and a neutral end, a valve body disposed in said cylinder, means biasing said valve body to said pressure end, a piston formed on said'valve body at said pressure end and a valve4 member formed on said member at said neutral end, an intake port at said pressure. end, an outlet .port at said pressure end having a restricted oriilce, and intake and outlet ports at said neutral end adapted to be closed by said valve member when pressure is developed in said pressure end of said cylinder.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a liquid circulating system having a liquid container, a sourcev of liquid, and a pump adapted to withdraw liquid from said liquid con tainer and deliver it to said source of liquid. a control valve comprising a cylinder having a pressure end and a neutral end, a port in said neutral end connected to said liquid source, a second port in said neutral end connected to the intake of said pump, a valve body in said cylinder having a valve member disposed in said neutral end and a piston member disposed in said pressure end, and-means biasing said valve body toward said -pressure end, a constantly open in= s let port in said pressure end connected to means for withdrawing liquid fron/i said container and delivering it` under pressure to saidpressure end, an outlet from said pressure end, and a restricting orifice in said outlet, whereby the creation of a, predetermined liquid pressure in said pres- 'sure end actuates said valve member to close said ports in said neutral end and shut olf the connection between said source and said pump, the

pump then withdrawing liquid only from saidl container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a control valve comprising a cylinder having aprssure end and a neutral end, a valve body disposed in said cylinder and having a piston at said pressure end and a valve member at said neutral end, inlet and outlet ports at said neutral end adapted to be covered by said valve member, a conduit extending through said valve vbody connecting said pressure end and said neutralend. a liquid flow restricting orifice in said conduit, a port in said pressure end, a constantly open port in said neutral end, and means biasing said valve body toward said pressure end.

The constructional embodiments of the invention described hereinafter are applied to an aircraft engine oil circulating system wherein oil is transferred by a scavenge pump from the engine sump to a tank, the level detecting means comprises a small auxiliary or pilot pump which is operated in parallel with the scavenge pump. A small suction pipe, leading from a level within the sump above the level of the entrance to the scavenge suction pipe, communicates with the inlet to the pilot pump. A discharge pipe provides communication between the outlet of the pilot pump and one end, hereinafter called the pressure end of a control valve cylinder in which a piston valve is slidably arranged, and a return pipe. in which -is fitted a flow-restricting orlce, provides communication between the pressure end of the control valve cylinder and the sum1# Near the end of the piston. valve remote kfrom the pressure end of the cylinder the valve is formed with an annular recess. The piston valve isbiased by a spring towards the pressure end of the cylinder and against a shoulder therein, and when the valve is in this position the said annular recess communicates with an inlet port and an outlet port formed in the wall of the cylinder. These ports are both closed by the piston-valve when it is moved towards the opposite end of the cylinder, hereinafter .called "the neutral end." in the manner hereinafter described. The said outlet port communicates with the inlet of the scavenge pump and the said inlet port communicates with a balance feed pipe leading from the said tank. In the scavenge pump'suction pipe is provided a bias valve which is springloaded to oiIer a resistance to the flow of oil therethrough sufflcient to ensure that the flow of oil through the balance feed pipe will satisfy the requirements of the sc'avenge pump when required. A small pipe provides communication between the neut'ral end of the said control valve cylinder and the sump thus permitting the necessary displacement of oil to and from this end of the cylinder during movements of the piston valve. Generally, the supply of oil to the sump from the engine is less than the capacity of the scavenge pump, so that there is a tendency for the level to fall. Assuming, that it has fallen to some point below the entranceof the pilot pump suction pipe but is still above thel entrance to the scavenge pump suction pipe, then the said auxiliary pump can only circulate air. The oilflow restricting oriiice in the pilot pump return pipe will, as previously explained, offer very little resistance to the flow of air.- so that the pressure on the pressure end of the piston valve will be insuillcient to move it against its spring. Thus, a free passage from the inlet port to the outlet port is provided in the cylinder and oil from the oil tank lwill, therefore, be free to flow through the balancefeed pipe to the scavenge pump while the flow of oil to the scavenge pump from the sump will be restricted by the trance to the pilot bias valve. In these circumstances, the iiow of oil to the sump from the engine will exceed the ow from the sump to the scavenge pump so that the level of oil in the sump will commence to rise. As soon as the entrance to the pilot pump suction pipe is submerged, however, the pilot pump will commence to circulate oil which, owing to the resistance to flow by the iiowresisting orifice, will exert pressure on the pressure end ot the piston valve causing it to be displaced towards the neutral end of the valve cylinder and to interrupt the flow of oil from the tank to the scavenge pump through the balance feed pipe. The scavenge pump will then be wholly fed from the sump and since its capacity is greater than the supply from the engine the level will commence to fall. Thus, when the level of the oil in the sump is below the enpump suction pipe it begins to rise and when they level is above the said entrance it begins to fall, Thus, the level is maintained approximately at the height of the pilot pump suction pipe entrance, it never falls to the level of the scavenge pump suction pipe entranceV and thus prevents the flow of 'air through the scavenge pump suction pipe.

Two constructional forms of the invention. both applied to the oil circulating system of an aircraft engine, are shown by way of example on the accompanying drawings, whereon:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one construction, in which the pilot pump is withdrawing oil from the sump and oil is being supplied to the scavenge pump from the sump;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to Fig. l, but showing the pilot pump withdrawing air from the sump and the scavenge pump receiving oil from the oil tank, the supply of oil to the scavenge pump from the sump when being restricted; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, to a larger scale, of an alternative construction of the piston control valve.

Referring first to Figs.

Oil is transferred from the engine oil sump l to an oil scavenge pump 2 through a suction pipe l, the discharge side of the pump being connected by a discharge pipe 4 to an oil storage tank (which is not shown in the drawings) from which it is returned to the engine by a pressure pump (also not shown). In the suction pipe 3 there is a bias valve 5, which is pressed towards its seat by a spring 6. A smaller suction pipe 1 and 2:

, 'I projects into theengine sump at one end and is connected at its opposite end to the suction side of a small auxiliary or pilot pump 8 the discharge side of which is connected by a dis` charge pipe 9 to the pressure end of a cylinder I0. It will be noted that the end of the pipe I is arranged at a higher level in the sump than the end of the pipe 3. A return pipe 9A connects the pressure end of the cylinder lli to the engine sump and in this pipe a flow-restricting orifice Il, calibrated to suit requirements, is provided.

A piston valve I2 is slidably arranged in the cylinder lll and is formed with a piston part Il slidable in the pressure end of the cylinder and valve parts Il, and Ila which are slidable in the neutral end of the cylinder. Between these parts is an annular recess l5. The valve part il serves to control the iiow of oil from the tank to the scavenge pump feed pipe as will be seen later, while-the valve part Ila prevents communication between the oil tank and the sump through snaai-tr 6 a bleed-oir pipe rei'erred to hereinafter. Diametcylinder I0 builds up and, in due course. forces rically opposed inlet and outlet ports I6` and the piston valve into the position shown in Fig. 1

pump suction pipe 3 by the balance .feed pipes Il and oil cannot dow fromthe oil -tank into I8 and I 9. A small leakage bleed-off pipe 20 the scavenge pump suction pipe A3. The suction connects the neutral end of the valve cylinder of the scavenge pump 2 then causes the bias displacement of oil to and from the neutral end its vspring 6 and oil is again circulated by the end by a. port 22 and thence by the pipe 20 back so until it again falls to the top of the pilot to the sump. e pump suction pipe 1, whereupon the pilot pump By this means, any leakage that may take again commences to circulate air and the seplace from the pressure end past the piston I3 quence of operations, as described above. is reis carried back to the sump instead of being 2o peated. Thus, whenever the oil ln the sump is A spring 23 acts to force the piston valve into 25 end of the pipe 'I Within the sump and effectively the position shown in Fig. 2, in which the reprevents `the flow of air through the scavenge cess I5 registers with the inlet and outlet ports pump feed pipe 3.

I6 and I1 and communication is made via the A modified construction o1' the piston control balance feed pipes I8 and I9 from the oil tank Valve iS ShOWn in Fig. 3. In this construction. to the scavenge pump suction pipe 3. the pilot pump vtlisohurge pipe @communicates The travel of the valve I2 due to the expansion with the pressure end of the cylinder l0. aS beof the spring 23 is limited by contact of the valve fore but the return pipe 8a With its ilow rewith a stop 24. stricting orifice is deleted. the orifice being ar- The loading of the spring 8 acting-upon the ranged in the valve I2 itself. As drawn, it is bias valve 5 is such that the valve will oller a. 35 shown at 25 in the pressure end of the valve and resistance to the ilow of oil through the pipe 3 the passage 26 behind it is opened out to a relasumcient to ensure that the ilow of oil through vely large diameter to provide free ow to the the balance feed pipes I8 and I9 will satisfy the neutral end for any air 0r Oil that passes requirements 0f the scavenge pump when nec- In this construction, the leakage bleed-o' pipe essary. The pipe 20 permits the necessary dis- 4f, 20 needs to be somewhat larger in diameter as placement of oil to and from the neutral end of has not Only t0 00udu0t leakage but also the the cylinder lo during movements of the piston oriuce discharge back to the sump. Further. the valve.

The Supply 01' 011 t0 the Sump from the engine blank 0H the Orlce 25; fOr instance, il; may be is generally less than the "capacity of the DrOVlded With un lutelual Port 27 01' 1t may be scavenge pump, hence the tendency of the oil DlaCed 0,00ut1l0a1ly. level in the sump is to fall. t he clearance space 2I may be connected to the Assuming that the level has in this manner neutral end by a small passage 28 opening into fallen low enough to expose the end of the. pilot the passage 26. pump suction 4pipe 1 as shown at H, 1n mg, 2, 60 Otherwise the construction of the valve is subthe pilot pump will then draw only air which Stahtlally aS previously described. will be delivered via the (ngel-large pipe Q and the In this mdled CODSI'UCOII, when the level pressure end oi the control valve cylinder III to 0f the Oil in the Sump fullSbelOW the tOD of the the restricting orifice II. This oriilce oil'ers only pilot pump Suction pipe 1. and air is circulated very slight resistance to the flow of air delivered by the pilot pump through the dlSCharge pipe I position shown in Fig. 2, maintaining free pasthe piston valve remains in the position shown the suction side of the scavenge pump, flow of oil the annular recess I5 and the balance feed pipe from the sump being restricted or stopped By I9. vOn the other handwhen the level of the the bias valve l5. i l5 oil in the sump rises above the end of the pilot In these circumstances, the ilowof oil from pump suction pipe 1, thepilot pump commences to the engine to the sump will exceed the withpump oil and because the now of the oil from the commence to rise, until it covers the end of,the 70 the action of the spring 23. The ow of oil from pilot pump suction pipe 1, as shown at H1, Fig. 1. the oil tank to the scavenge feed pipe ls then cut Thereupon, the pilot pump commences to ciroil by the masking of th'e ports I8 and I1 by the culate oil and, because the flow-restriction orifice piston valve part I4. When the level ofthe oil in II resists the iiow of oil far'more than the flow the sump again falls'belowthe end of the pilot of air.. the pressure in the pressure end of the pump suction pipe 1. the pilot pump again com.

,l an oil operated l tice. It may l mentes to pump air and the piston valve is returned to the position shown in Fig. 3 by the action of the spring 2l.

Various modifications can. oi course, be introduced without departing from the scope o! the finvention.

It will he understood that the said level detect- ,f ing device can be in any convenient form such as injector fed from either the scavenge pump or the oil pressure pump.

Further, in order to prevent the excessively high pressures that may be generated by the increased viscosity of the oil when starting up from cold, it may be necessary to provide relief additional to the flow-restricting oriilce aforesaid.

This relie! can be accomplished by the introduction of some form of spring-loaded relief valve, placed in parallel with the flow-restricting oribe formed in conjunction with the now-restricting orifice, the plate in which the orifice is out being used as a disc valve, or it may, by the provision of a suitable port or ports be formed in conjunction with the control valve itself or again a separate valve may he provided.

I claim: n

1. A control valve for a liquid circulating system having means for preventing the aeration of liquid circulated in said system, comprising in combination a cylinder having a pressure end and a neutral end. a valve body disposed in said cylinder and having a piston at said pressure end and a valve part at said neutral end. inlet and outlet ports at said neutral end adapted to be covered by said valve part. a recess formed between said piston and said valve part. a liquid out. let from said neutral end. and a port in said valve body connecting said recess with said neutral end and adapted to 'return liquid .collected in said recess to said neutral end for the discharge therefrom through said outlet.

2. A control valve for a liquid circulating system having means for preventing the aeration of liquid circulated in said system, comprising in combination a cylinder having a pressure end and a neutral end, a valve body'slidably disposed in said cylinder and having a piston at said pressure end and a valve part at said neutral end, inlet and outlet ports at said neutral end adapted simultaneously to be covered by said valve part,

a recess formed in said valve body between said piston and said valve part, a liquid outlet from said neutral end. a port in said valve body connecting said recess with said neutral end and adapted to return liquid-collected in said recess to said neutral end for discharge therefrom through said liquid outlet, and means biasing said valve body toward said pressure end.

3. A control valve for a liquid circulating system, comprising in combination a cylinder hav ing a pressure end and a neutral end. a valve body disposed in said cylinder and having a piston at said pressure end and a valve part at said neutral end, inlet and outlet ports at said neutral end adapted to be covered by said valve part, a passageway extending through said valve body connecting said pressure end and said neutral end, a liquid now restricting orifice in said passageway adapted to cause pressure to be built up in said pressure end, an inlet port in said pressure end. a constantly open liquid outlet in said neutral end, and means biasing said valve body toward said pressure end. i

4. The control valve claimed in claim 3, wherein a stop in said pressure end limits movement of said valve body towards said pressure end, said stop being formed with a passageway which is in constant communication with said inlet port in said pressure end and with said restricting orice in said passageway through said valve body.

CAMILLE CLARE SPRANKLING LE CLAIR:

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,158,165 MeManamy Oct. 12, i915 1,455,832 Church May 22, 1923 1,479,307 McAneny Jan. 1, 1924 2,121,324 Manley June 21, 1938 v FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 552,255 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1943 637,742 Germany 1936 112,112 France 193i 

